Indian Prairie schools to ask for $130 million bond issue

Voters in Indian Prairie School District 204 will decide this spring whether to authorize the district to sell $130 million in bonds to pay for several proposals.

Acting on a recommendation from a 43-member citizens committee, the school board voted 7-0 on Monday night to put the referendum measure on the April 5 ballot. If approved, a resident with a home worth $300,000 would pay an additional $109 to the district when 2005 taxes are due next year, according to projections.

The committee offered a proposal on how to use the $130 million if voters supported the request, as they did referendum measures in 2001, 1997 and 1994. After working since Oct. 5, the committee concluded that more middle school and high school space is needed in the face of growing enrollment.

"With the best interest of children in mind, this amount was discussed, debated and then voted upon with a supermajority of the committee," Laura Thomson told the school board.

"They left no stone unturned and I feel good about the recommendations," said Jeanette Clark, the board's liaison to the committee.

First, the committee suggested that the district build a third high school.

The district operates Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, which cost $63 million to open in 1997, and Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, which was built in the mid-1970s.

The committee suggested allocating $90 million to build a high school and setting aside $15.6 million to buy the land. Committee members also said a freshman center at one of the high schools should be converted for use as a seventh middle school.

Of the rest of the $130 million, the committee suggested allocating $11 million to meet technology needs, $12.6 million for operations and maintenance, and $1.3 million to make improvements at Waubonsie.

Last week, about 250 people attended a public hearing where the committee explained its findings.

"We ask that you consider the strong public sentiment that this [high school] be equitable in providing educational opportunities equal to Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley and that it not be extravagant," committee member Margaret Kohler told the school board.

If voters approve the measure, a third high school could open in fall 2008, district officials said.